Tonight

Fans cheer the Sioux City Bandits at the Tyson Events Center in this file photo. Chamber leaders from Siouxland and Salina, Kan., have made a friendly wager on Saturday's playoff game between the Bandits and the Salina Bombers.

Eye on Business: Siouxland, Salina business leaders place wager on football game

Fans cheer the Sioux City Bandits at the Tyson Events Center in this file photo. Chamber leaders from Siouxland and Salina, Kan., have made a friendly wager on Saturday's playoff game between the Bandits and the Salina Bombers.

SIOUX CITY | Former economic development colleagues Chris McGowan and Dennis Lauver have made a friendly wager on this weekend's arena football playoff game between their hometown teams.

McGowan is president and CEO of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, and Lauver is president of the Salina, Kan., Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Sioux City Bandits host the Salina Bombers at the Tyson Event Center at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. The winner advances to the Champions Professional Indoor Football League title game on June 22.

After the matchup was set, Lauver and McGowan, who worked together more than 20 years ago, negotiated terms of the bet.

If the Bombers win, the Salina Chamber office will receive a basket of products made in Siouxland, including Jolly Time Pop Corn, Sue Bee Honey, Palmer Candy, Girl Scout Cookies and Blue Bunny ice cream. If the hometown Bandits prevail, the Siouxland Chamber will win numerous Tony's and Red Baron frozen pizzas. Salina is home to the world's largest frozen pizza facility.

"This is a great way to promote some of our region's best known products," McGowan said.

The wager also requires the losing business leader to wear the opposing team's jersey or shirt for a full day at their office, and provide photographic evidence to the winning community.

"This is a unique and positive way for us to generate some community spirit and remind our respective regions that chamber executives from around the nation frequently cooperate on joint initiatives and generally share a similar commitment to both promoting economic development and improving quality of life," said Lauver, who previously served on the staffs of both the Siouxland Chamber and the South Sioux City Chamber.

Subscribe to Breaking News

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.